Today, Derby’s COVID alert level ‘Very High’ restrictions – also known as Tier 3 - come into force, as a strengthened tier system is introduced across the country to replace the national restrictions.

Very High alert level areas are those with a significant level of transmission within the community.

As well as following the continued guidance to wash our hands, keep our distance and wear a face covering if we can, tier 3 restrictions mean:

  • Meeting with friends and family: No mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six in some outdoor public spaces (e.g. parks, public gardens).
  • Hospitality: Bars, Pubs and Restaurants Hospitality is closed, with the exception of sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
  • Shops: Retail, including ‘non-essential shops’ are able open.
  • Working and business: Everyone who can work from home should continue do so.
  • Education: Schools, colleges and universities can remain open. Childcare, other supervised activities for children, and childcare bubbles are also permitted.
  • Leisure centres: Indoor leisure is permitted; however, group activities and classes should not take place.
  • Travel: Should avoid travelling outside your area, other than where necessary such as for work or education. Reduce the number of journeys where possible. Plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble.
  • Sport: Adult sport can take place outdoors, but people should avoid higher-risk contact activity. Group exercise activities and sports indoors should not take place, unless with your household or bubble. Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
  • Residential care: COVID-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Outdoor/airtight visits only (rollout of rapid testing will enable indoor visits inc. contact).
  • Hotels: Accommodation Closed (with limited exceptions)
  • Overnight stays: Avoid staying overnight outside of your area, unless necessary for work or education.
  • Weddings and funerals: Up to 15 guests permitted for weddings, civil partnerships and wakes; 30 for funerals. Wedding receptions not permitted.
  • Entertainment: Indoor venues closed.
  • Places of Worship: Open but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.
  • Large events: Events should not take place. Drive-in events permitted.

All restrictions are monitored and evaluated by the government, Public Health England and local councils to ensure they are still necessary and appropriate for the area. A review of each local area tier placement will take place every two weeks.

Local alert level restrictions will be altered during Christmas, as the Government has confirmed that between 23 and 27 December, three households will be allowed to form a temporary "Christmas bubble" in all areas of the country.

The bubbles can mix indoors and stay overnight. The bubbles will be fixed, so you will not, for example, be able to mix with two households on Christmas Day and two different ones on Boxing Day. Full details are available on the Government website.

Dr Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health for Derby City Council, said:

While the national restrictions have come to an end today, we should all familiarise ourselves with the new measures in place in Derby as we enter ‘Very High’ tier placement.

These measures are necessary to continue lessening transmission in the city, hopefully reducing our likelihood of needing severe restrictions for a more significant period of time.

Particularly in light of the announcement about Christmas, we should all consider how vital it is that we do the right thing for Derby now, to make the festive period as safe as possible for ourselves and loved ones.

Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

As we move out of national restrictions into ‘Very High’ local measures, it is important that we do not lose focus of the importance of our actions and the very real impact they have.

Not only do we have the ability to protect ourselves and loved ones – we are helping to protect our businesses, workers and city as a whole.

Derby City Council will continue to work as closely as possible with partners to offer as much support as possible to Derby citizens through this period and beyond.

Community support will be available to those who need it. Derby’s Community Hub can be contacted on 01332 640000. A text service is also available using 07774 333412.

Derby City Council recently implemented a system to support NHS Test and Trace at a local level. In partnership with the national Test and Trace operation, the programme will see Derby City Council support in contacting those who have tested positive for COVID-19 but have not responded to contact by the NHS system.

You can read more details about the system and what each tier entails on the government website.